Eddi Xavier Bermudez Marcelin

Eddie is Colombian, born in the department of Chocho, graduated from the Rosario University in Bogota, Colombia with a degree in Political Science and Governance. He has conducted studies of political management and governance at the Rosario University, and George Washington University, as well as training on Previous Consultation Act at the National University of Colombia. Currently he is a candidate for a masters in Management and Practice of Development at the Andes University, in Bogota. He has experience in project management and implementation, for the strengthening and preservation of cultural and civic organizations of Colombia. Both at the regional and national level, designing empowerment, diversity and inclusion strategies for the youth. He has being assistant director for governmental relations and social responsability for the Colombo-American Chamber of Commerce. Coordinator for the Pacific Region Program of the Colombian Minister of Culture. And currently works as the Manager for Youth and Cultural Diversity of the USAID Program for Afro Colombians and Indigenous people, operated by ACDIVOCA.

How does your current work relate to economic justice?:

In the framework of the actions conducted by ACIP, related to economic democracy we can show the development of collective projects, related to production, productivity and income generation among ethnic communities in Colombia. We engage in the strengthening of public institutions, at the local and national level, as well as the preservation of identity and organizational strengthening. Therefore, the term “economic democracy” is known in the communities as “Mingas”. Mingas are a way of community organizing for the collective procurement of resources for the development of activities. It is important to highlight that, this activities (Mingas) that have been associated to culture and tradition, need technology and innovation that will allow them to obtain a major development, scale and impact. This to increase the scale and consolidation of the “Mingas” as “economic democracy”. To achieve this, ACIP has been investing in new technologies, strengthening of capacities and delivering more tools to support the communities who are partners with our program, so that their collective work and income generation, produce a higher impact in their social well being.